Flanked by sheriffs from several counties, Gov. Chris Gregoire this morning announced a sweep -- eventually statewide -- to corral sex offenders who refuse to register or violate other terms of their release.

Three sex offenders were arrested in the hours following the 6 a.m. Monday launch of what Gregoire termed "Operation Crackdown."

Gregoire's set aside up to $100,000 to pay for police overtime for the four counties -- Chelan, Douglas, King and Yakima -- now taking part. Gregoire said she intends to make the push statewide.

Most of those being sought in Chelan and King counties are Level 1 offenders, judged less likely to reoffend than 2s or 3s. But they still have to register, even if homeless.

"We're trying to make the point to them that we're not going to play games," said King County Sheriff Sue Rahr. "...We want the Level 1s to know that we are watching them."

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